The Genius at the Swordsmanship Academy chapter 43

43 Tues Archduke Lichtenauer (1)

“Ernas-sama, who do you think will win?”

The first semi-final match between Serine and Rufus has begun.

I was going to watch the spectator in the waiting room with Schmidt.

“Serine will win.”

“You think so too.”

“If Rufus had become a graduate at the same time as Serine, it would have been a good match.”

Rufus, like Serine, is a fighting style with standard Eastern swordsmanship.

If it was at a similar level as a graduate, it would have been a pretty good match.

“Then the final is… … .”

Schmidt’s speech was interrupted in the middle.

Because there were people who suddenly stepped into the waiting area.

“… … .”

They were people in elegant suits.

They were the distinguished guests who had gathered in the corner of the audience earlier.

I already knew who they were.

“Ernas Landsstein, are you okay for a moment?”

A middle-aged gentleman with a mustache bowed his head at me.

“Before the match starts, I would like you to give me a moment.”

“… … .”

inside the palace.

The department that supported the imperial family came to me before I even played the non-radio final.

* * *

“You were preparing for the match, and I am sorry to have caused you so much trouble. We will make it as short as possible.”

Chaldeas, a first-class official in the palace, bowed his head.

Now I was in the private room facing the people of the palace.

“Actually, I wanted to visit Ernas-sama when he had free time. But our job… … .”

“You probably don’t have time. I understand.”

“Thank you for your understanding. In fact, we have to move to another place right now.”

Chaldeas smiled bitterly.

“So, what are you doing?”

“First of all, I want to ask you a question.”

Lowering his voice, Chaldeas asked me.

“Is it true that you broke your engagement with Serine Bastian?”

“A lot of people ask that question.”

I was slowly starting to get tired.

“The engagement has been officially broken. I have signed the document.”

“Oh, I see.”

“I have no intention of going back to the original state in the future. Currently, Serine Bastian is just a classmate.”

“All right.”

After nodding, Chaldeas exchanged glances with the others.

Then he looked at me and opened his mouth again.

“Ernas-sama, I will ask you straight-forward.”

“Tell me.”

“The breakup of this engagement… Was it politically motivated?”

I smiled bitterly at that question.

“You said you were going to ask me outright, but it doesn’t seem like much.”

“sorry. Because it is a department that avoids direct expression as much as possible.”

“It was a private matter. There were no political considerations.”

“Hmm… All right.”

Chaldeas nodded.

“Anyway, it seems clear now that Ernas-sama has no plans to marry anyone.”

“Yes, there is no need to worry about that part.”

“… … .”

Hearing my words, Chaldeas smiled.

“Seeing you say that, it seems that you already know everything.”

“Before joining the academy, I did quite a bit of work for my father.”

“okay.”

“Perhaps some of the heirs of other swordsmiths know it.”

I’ve talked about it with Heinrich before.

I didn’t mention it directly though.

“The Emperor’s life is short, so he wants to elect a ‘Duke Lichtenauer’ to assist His Majesty the Princess.”

Hearing my words, Chaldeas put on a nervous expression.

The same was true of the people around the palace.

“You are speaking too directly, Ernas-sama.”

“sorry. I am not a member of the palace.”

I said with a casual expression.

“Let’s talk openly, Chaldeas.”

“Ernas-sama… … .”

“There is no need to go round and round with people who know everything. Aren’t you in a situation where you don’t even have time to spare?”

“This is so… Ernas-sama, you are truly a bold person.”

Chaldeas sighed.

Then he leaned forward and said in a low voice.

“It is as you said. The Imperial Household is now considering the resurrection of Archduke Lichtenauer.”

Archduke Lichtenauer.

It was originally a title given to the ‘husband of the female emperor’. It’s similar to how the title was conferred on Queen Elizabeth’s husband, Philip, in real-world England.

Because he is a ‘Grand Duke’, he has a higher ceremonial status than that of the 6th great swordsman, but it was completely abolished hundreds of years ago due to various evils.

“The Emperor has not yet recovered his health. If this condition persists… … .”

“The Crown Princess, who is still only 12 years old, must be hereditary.”

“… You really speak out loud, Ernas-sama.”

This is the current top secret of this empire.

At this point, it is known only to the palace officials who assist the imperial family and the 6th major swordsman.

If this fact were made known to the world, the empire would be thrown into great chaos.

“Chaldeas, this empire reveres swordsmanship. His Majesty the previous emperors were all grades that dominated the first generation.”

“Yes… … .”

“However, if a 12-year-old princess, who has never properly held a true sword, suddenly ascends to the throne… The imperial power will be greatly shaken.”

Even the legitimacy of the millennium empire that has worshiped swordsmanship is shaken.

This was clearly a serious situation.

“The imperial family, which was taking measures, paid attention to the fact that it was the right time for the heirs of the 6th master swordsmen to enter the academy.”

“… … .”

Yes.

For this reason, this rider is different than ever.

“The person who has reached the top of the Academy this time will be given the title of Archduke Lichtenauer, and will be turned into a sword to protect His Majesty the Princess… This is the measure prepared by the imperial family.”

If that happens, the person who has reached the top of the academy will naturally become the fiancée of the Imperial Princess.

The woman, Berrys Rize, will be given a place to replace it, though.

“In this way, even if a 12-year-old Imperial Princess ascends to the throne, the country can be stabilized.”

The logic of the princess herself is that even if the power of the princess herself is insignificant, it is okay if the person who will become her husband has the power.

“I got to the top of the academy and proven my skills, so no one can complain. Because this empire is such a country.”

“Yes, Ernas-sama… … .”

If you choose one of the six great swordsmanship masters and make it the guardian of the princess, it will rise from another family.

However, if you give the position of Archduke Lichtenauer to a talented person who has reached the top of the Academy, and let the princess take care of her, no one can complain.

It is precisely because of the tradition of the empire that revered swordsmanship.

‘That’s why the master swordsman’s headmasters are more terrified than usual.’

It is for this reason that Calleon Ignias is now raging outside the academy, pointing to the Lancaster family.

There is a fierce competition for the position of Grand Duke of Lichtenauer, and the Lancaster family, who was eliminated from the competition, tried to break the table by sending assassins.

“So, Ernas-sama, what we want to say is… … .”

Chaldeas lowered his head and said.

“Please do not have any problems with your conduct.”

“… … .”

“Even if Ernas-sama later rises to the top of the academy and gets the qualifications of Archduke Lichtenauer, if there is a problem with her conduct while attending school, she will have a problem as a mate of the Princess.”

It was easy to understand what he meant.

This… It means to be careful with women.

‘Because Ernas was famous as a playboy before entering the academy.’

It was a sigh of relief.

If Ernas was not so terrified, he would come to the palace and ask for a new priest.

“Ernas-sama, please do not take it lightly. The reason why we dared to come to speak so seriously is that in the current Landsstein family… … .”

“Currently, the Landsstein family cannot tell me to be careful about my conduct. That’s why you dared to talk to me at the palace.”

“Yeah, yes.”

However, it is not a bad thing to think about.

In the novel, there would have been no interest in Ernas’ private life inside the palace.

‘This interest in my private life means that I have judged that there is a high chance that I will occupy the position of Grand Duke of Lichtenauer.’

Today I defeated Heinrich, a prodigy of the Agrippa family.

Chaldeas and other people inside the palace saw… The closest person to the present Archduke of Lichtenauer is Ernas Landsstein.

“Don’t worry, folks.”

I looked at Chaldeas as well as other people in the palace and said,

“I have no choice but to elevate my swordsmanship at the academy. I can’t afford to look anywhere else.”

“Is that for real?”

“Yes, breaking up with Serine is part of that.”

“Hmm, if that’s the case… … .”

“You can rest assured about this. so… … .”

After a brief pause, he spoke in a calm voice.

“Do not try to influence me in this way in the future.”

“… … !”

“I take care of my front cover. Do you know?”

The opponents are the people in the palace who assist the imperial family.

From that point of view, my comments now are quite arrogant.

But now I am tentatively ‘the closest person to the Archduke Lichtenauer’.

You have the right to speak so strongly to them.

“I understand what you mean, Ernas-sama.”

Chaldeas bowed his head deeply.

“I apologize for being rude. We will prevent this from happening in the future.”

“Thank you for your understanding, Chaldeas.”

After saying that, I got up.

“The first match of the semi-finals must have come to an end. Everyone says you are busy on the way to go, so let’s end today’s meeting with this.”

“Yes, Ernas-sama.”

I reached out to Chaldeas.

Chaldeas paused for a moment, but immediately smiled and took my hand.

“I wish you good luck.”

“thank you.”

As we shook hands, I thought that this event was over without a hitch.

In the novel, Akandel, who is not the heir to the master swordsman, defeated Heinrich, so he contacted Akandel inside the palace and tried to uncover his identity.

‘Acandel’s origin is unknown. When such a guy reaches the top of the Academy, what should he do for the position of Grand Duke of Lichtenauer? Chaldeas was very worried.’

However, Chaldeas will no longer have to worry.

Because Ernas Landsstein, the successor of the 6th master swordsman, has emerged as the most likely candidate.

Besides, since the current Ernas is no longer a playboy, there is no need to worry about disqualification as a candidate for the princess’s fiancé in the future.

‘Thank you, Chaldeas.’

Thinking like that, I grabbed Chaldeas’ hand.

* * *

“The first semi-final match, Serine Bastian wins!”

Returning to the waiting room, it was the moment when Serine had a victory over Rufus.

Schmidt, who was watching the game, noticed my presence and turned his head.

“Ah, Ernas-sama, are you here now? It was a pretty fun match.”

“Yeah, I wanted to see you too, but it’s a pity.”

“What the hell happened?”

“It’s just a political thing.”

“Uh… … .”

Schmidt gave a thoughtful expression for a moment.

“Actually, Professor Valentiano came and went before.”

“Professor Valentiano?”

Valentiano is the highest grade grade representing the academy.

He leads the Valentiano Class, the largest faction in the academy, and is a master of Eastern swordsmanship.

“The people inside the palace asked why they took Ernas-sama, and when they would come back.”

“So what did you do?”

“I just replied that I didn’t know. He died with a regretful expression on his tongue.”

“… … .”

If my prediction is correct, Valentiano would have come to scout me.

If you pass the 2nd test and get promoted, you should come to the Valentiano class.

And he must have been thinking about figuring out what kind of swordsmanship I had in the previous match.

‘Valentiano is coming in contact… It is realizing that the promotion is slowly approaching.’

The days of staying in Black Class 6 are now short.

If you pass the 2nd exam, which will be coming soon, you will be moved to another place to receive full-scale training for grades.

Until now, at best, I only had to deal with those who were around the beginning of Graduate… It will be different in the future.

‘so… I have to prepare.’

Preparation for post-promotion.

It had already begun.

“Schmitz, do you know this?”

As I was getting ready to go to the match, I spoke to Schmitz.

“The person in the palace who took me earlier… Chaldeas is an academy graduate.”

“Oh, was it? I thought it was just a civil servant.”

“it is not so.”

I shook my head and smiled.

“The swordsmanship is very good… A senior grade swordsman.”

* * *

Inside the wagon leaving the academy, the palace staff chatted.

“Ernas Landsstein seemed like a great person.”

“His swordsmanship skills were great, but his speech was unusual.”

“I thought I was being too cocky, but… Well, if you want to become Grand Duke of Lichtenauer, you have to have that kind of distribution.”

Of course, there is still plenty of time left.

Ernas, who is now leading the way, will fall, and the successor of another master swordsman may stand at the top of the academy.

However, all the people here right now were thinking, ‘Ernas is going to become the Archduke of Lichtenauer.’

“But why is Secretary Chaldeas looking so sad?”

“Anything caught… … ?”

I spoke to Chaldeas, who was silent in the corner, and he let out a sigh.

“A little… Because I care.”

“What do you mean?”

“It seemed to me that Ernas Landsstein would no longer cause problems with women.”

“Yeah, that’s fortunate.”

“By the way… … .”

Chaldeas said with a complicated expression.

“I mean, when we shook hands, he held my hand and didn’t let it go for a long time. It’s such a passionate handshake… It felt strange.”

“… … .”

“The fact that I broke my engagement with Serine Bastian… I wondered if it was because I opened my eyes to a new taste… … .”

At Chaldeas’ concern, there was silence for a moment.